*Regular Routine*

Now that our first month of school has passed we are settling into a regular homework routine. Please note the following weekly homework practices:

MONDAY - THURSDAY:

Reading Book & Reading Log: Read your child's "Just Right" book and record reading in the green log book. A new book will be sent home every day.

Word Study homework: Refer tothe "Spelling Homework Schedule" posted below, as well as at the front your child's purple Activity Book. More information (photos and video) about word study activities is available on the main page of our blog (select "Word Study" link under Categories).

FRIDAY (WEEKEND):

Poem: Read the poem that comes home in the blue poem duotang.

ALL WEEK

Showtime: The Showtime topic can be found for each week under the "Showtime" tab on the blog. Students are expected to bring their showtime artifact to school on Monday and keep it here until Friday. They will present to the whole class or in small groups at some point during the week.

ADDITIONAL PRACTICE:

IXL: Online maths skills practice (voluntary).

Raz Kids: Online reading and comprehension (voluntary).

More information about both resources is available in the "Learning Links" section of the blog.

Week 4: August 27-31, 2012

This week we start "Just Right" reading books. Children will select their own reading books using the "Just Right" test:

F - Find a book that looks interesting. I - Investigate to see if the book is right for you. How many new words?

0-1: too easy

2-3: just right

4-5: too hard

T - Try the book or trade it for another.

Please continue to read every night (Monday - Thursday). In class we are working on retelling and making text-to-self connections. Please support your child in practicing these reading strategies at home.

We also start Spelling homework this week, as explained at the Parent Information Evening. Each evening children will bring their Spelling Activity Book home and be responsible for completing a specific task. The Spelling homework schedule is posted below.

A poem will be sent home on Friday for weekend reading.

Week 3: August 21-24, 2012

This week we introduce reading books with words! Each day your child will bring home a book that is at his or her approximate reading level. Please continue to focus on how we can understand a story through illustrations, using text as additional support. Children should practice retelling the story in their book to a member of their family.

And on Friday...get ready for another poem!

Week 2: August 13 - 17, 2012

This week we begin the at-home reading programme. Each day your child will bring home a new reading book. For this week only the books will have no words, only pictures. The goal is for children to understand a story through the illustrations. By removing the focus on word-solving, children will begin to ask questions, make observations, and re-tell plot with a greater level of detail and sophistication. In this way their comprehension will improve, along with their enjoyment of the reading experience. We will also be working towards these learning goals during our daily Literacy blocks.

*For more information, please see the blue Communication Book.**Please note that at-home reading books should be read every night and returned to school every morning in the mesh bag.

This week we also bring home our first poem! Please practice reading this poem over the weekend and return it to school on Monday.

Week 1: August 6 - 10, 2012

No homework this week! Let's focus on making new friends, getting enough sleep, and settling into our new learning environment! :)